The NSIB reports that 23 aircraft components were damaged during the Arik Air engine incident.
·2 min
This episode covers the NSIB's preliminary report on an engine incident involving an Arik Air Boeing 737-700, registration 5 NMJF. The flight was W3-740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt on February 11, 2026. After a loud bang and severe vibrations from the left engine, the aircraft made an emergency diversion to Benin City. All 80 passengers and 7 crew members disembarked safely. The NSIB found 23 distinct aircraft components or impact points with substantial damage. The No. 6 fan blade was broken off at the root, and the remaining 23 fan blades were chipped or damaged. The engine inlet cowling was missing entirely, with cowling covers folded upward. Damage was recorded on the engine-driven pump, which was loose, and the integrated drive generator, oil cooler, and anti-ice duct. Investigators noted deep cuts up to 7.2 inches and visible cracks in the engine. Large cuts and punctures were found on the left horizontal stabilizer's upper surface and leading edge, the vertical stabilizer, and the left wing leading edge. The rudder surface also had cuts, and the airframe sustained dents and punctures from high-velocity engine fragments. The NSIB is conducting metallurgical examinations of the broken fan blade to determine if the failure resulted from mechanical fatigue, foreign object debris, or a bird strike. The crew tested negative for alcohol and drugs, and the aircraft held a valid certification. The report highlights the extensive damage and ongoing safety investigation.
